The Region : Hawkins Case Verdict Sealed Overnight

Jurors reached a verdict in the murder trial of James Hawkins Jr., but it will not be announced until this morning, court officials said. Superior Court Judge Ronald S. W. Lew ordered the panel’s verdict forms sealed until today because the jury reached its verdict so late in the day. Hawkins, 41, is charged with the shotgun slaying of Anttwon Thomas, 19, in September, 1983, outside the Hawkins family arcade in Watts. Thomas’ slaying sparked violent gang reprisals against the family, headed by Hawkins’ father, prominent Watts businessman James Hawkins Sr., and prompted Mayor Tom Bradley and Police Chief Daryl Gates to publically pledge to protect the clan. Hawkins Jr. has testified that Thomas was killed during a struggle with him when a shotgun the reputed gang member pulled from his pants accidentally discharged.